Is the catcher's odds of making the force out better if he blocks the plate? Or is tag from the side of the base line just as likely to make the out? These may seem like dumb questions, but look who's asking them!

I remember quite a few years back Adam Dunn steamrolling a catcher at GABP....One of the coolest things I've seen. Needless to say the ball and catcher went flying, and I don't even think the Donkey fell down. The catcher was removed from the game too. :lol:

Are suggesting a runner slide into a catcher who is stonewalling home plate?

I remember quite a few years back Adam Dunn steamrolling a catcher at GABP....One of the coolest things I've seen. Needless to say the ball and catcher went flying, and I don't even think the Donkey fell down. The catcher was removed from the game too. :lol:

 

The only Dunn collision I remember is when he smacked Lieberthal and then got drilled the next time up. That was the game where the fight ensued and Sean Casey was not happy. Of course, Austin Kearns stood by the on-deck circle. The pitcher was fortunate that Lieberthal was able to tackle Dunn before he got to the mound.

 

Perhaps the most violent collision was Bo Jackson trucking Rick Dempsey.

If the fielder is blocking the base, yes...

 

And when was the last time you saw someone go into 2nd and give the guy a forearm? If that happened it would be a brawl........

 

I think the problem with the current rule is that it is "cool" to "steamroll" or "truck" the catcher. IMO some guys go out of their way to try to dislodge the ball or injure the catcher.

 

I'm fine with the collision at home, when warranted. Not fine with going in there with the intent of knocking the guy silly. That's part of the other game, not this one.

I will always remember Rose blowing up Fosse. Maybe they should show that film to the Bengals before each game.:lol:

 

If a catcher chooses to block the plate I have no problem with the baserunner running him over. To me it is no different than taking out the 2nd baseman on a double play ball.

And when was the last time you saw someone go into 2nd and give the guy a forearm? If that happened it would be a brawl........

 

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Belle against Vina.

I can foresee, some MLB catcher having a career ending injury, given the size and power of some of the players today.

 

Hope I'm wrong, but I believe a catastrophic accident is going to happen.

I can foresee, some MLB catcher having a career ending injury, given the size and power of some of the players today.

 

Hope I'm wrong, but I believe a catastrophic accident is going to happen.

 

What do you think would happen to a runner if they were forced to slide into a catcher? If he goes feet first you're going to see knee and ankle injuries. If someone goes head first into all that equipment, well imagine the worst. Thats why runners are forced to bowl into plate blocking catchers. Part of the game. Only way to change is to change the rule for the catchers, not the runners.

Like I said earlier, I think it is part of the game, especially because the catcher is blocking the plate. Essentially, he is using his body to his advantage, so the runner is just doing the same. Maybe the reason there are more collisions that seem senseless is because it seems to me at least like there are more catchers blocking the plate when a play isn't imminent. If you aren't going to have the ball, get the heck outta there or risk being run over...

Belle against Vina.

 

That should tell you all you need to know right there.

What do you think would happen to a runner if they were forced to slide into a catcher? If he goes feet first you're going to see knee and ankle injuries. If someone goes head first into all that equipment, well imagine the worst. Thats why runners are forced to bowl into plate blocking catchers. Part of the game. Only way to change is to change the rule for the catchers, not the runners.

 

All what equipment? The shin guards that have evolved down to glorified soccer guards? What else? The helmet or mask? The chest protector? What about this equipment would hurt the runner more than say, sliding into a base that is planted firmly into the ground?

 

Head first at the plate is suicide. IMO there are very few instances where runners are "forced" to bowl over the catcher. I'm not positive about MLB, but I know that the rules regarding obstruction have been rewritten for HS to say that no defensive player can deny access to the base without the ball.

 

Consider this:

 

Situation A: The ball clearly beats the runner there. The runner, knowing he will be out, plows the catcher. Was that forced? Would it be ok if a runner going to 3rd barrelled over the 3Bman because the ball beat him there?

 

Situation B: Ball and runner arrive at the same time. Which is more prudent, to go to the back of the plate and thus avoid the block (and make the catcher reach), or bowl him over? Again, why not take out a 2nd baseman by body blocking him into the seats on a close throw from the OF?

 

Situation C: Throw comes in and is up the line. Catcher is trying to get to the ball and make a play, runner is trying to get to the plate. This is the only situation where I find contact 100% necessary.

All what equipment? The shin guards that have evolved down to glorified soccer guards? What else? The helmet or mask? The chest protector? What about this equipment would hurt the runner more than say, sliding into a base that is planted firmly into the ground?

 

Head first at the plate is suicide. IMO there are very few instances where runners are "forced" to bowl over the catcher. I'm not positive about MLB, but I know that the rules regarding obstruction have been rewritten for HS to say that no defensive player can deny access to the base without the ball.

 

Consider this:

 

Situation A: The ball clearly beats the runner there. The runner, knowing he will be out, plows the catcher. Was that forced? Would it be ok if a runner going to 3rd barrelled over the 3Bman because the ball beat him there?

 

Situation B: Ball and runner arrive at the same time. Which is more prudent, to go to the back of the plate and thus avoid the block (and make the catcher reach), or bowl him over? Again, why not take out a 2nd baseman by body blocking him into the seats on a close throw from the OF?

 

Situation C: Throw comes in and is up the line. Catcher is trying to get to the ball and make a play, runner is trying to get to the plate. This is the only situation where I find contact 100% necessary.

 

A) A good catcher would make the catch, tag the runner while moving up the line and spin through the tag so they're not taking the entire blow. No sense in sitting on your heels waiting for the baserunner to come barreling down on you.

 

B) Depends on the positioning of the catcher. If the second baseman is going to drop to a knee and completely barricade second base, that's his problem.

 

C) Depends when the catcher receives the ball. If he has it before the runner gets there, run him over. If not, go around him.

 

McCann's problem was that he lunged to Victorino head first. What did he expect? Again, if no elbows are flying AND a player is completely blocking the base, I have no problem with it.

Part of the game IMO. If you don't want hit get out of the way. To me the catcher has a chance to lay a runner out if they want too. They have all the protection on. I'm a fan of delivering the blow not taking it!

Part of the game IMO. If you don't want hit get out of the way. To me the catcher has a chance to lay a runner out if they want too. They have all the protection on. I'm a fan of delivering the blow not taking it!

 

Seriously, when did ALL sports become UFC or MMA events?? The game of baseball was played for a long, long time without much, if any, contact at the plate or on the bases. So no, it is not "part of the game" IMO. It is something to feed the attention starved ADD society, to make SportsCenter highlights........much like the steroid era.

 

If you want to plow over people, knock them silly, or generally try to maime them, play the right sport.............football.